Good Powder/Bullet combos for hunting, .308 Winchester

hooligan1 · November 30, 2013, 07:55 AM

Title says everthing, looking for Hunting bullet/powder combos, not powder weights, just good combos. Please and thank you.

the jigger · November 30, 2013, 08:58 AM

Varget/Ballistic tips!

jason75979 · November 30, 2013, 09:18 AM

4064(42.8grns)/165 Swift Scirroco II

jackpine · November 30, 2013, 09:20 AM

150 grain speer hot core bullets and BL-C(2)

Tomas · November 30, 2013, 09:21 PM

43gr of ww748 under a 180gr partition has killed a lot of game for me

gb_in_ga · December 1, 2013, 01:17 AM

There's been lots of meat put in the freezer with a 150 gr Nosler Partition and between 41.0 and 43.0 gr (depending on the rifle) of 3031. The Speer Hot-Cor also works well in the same weight.

hgmeyer · December 1, 2013, 02:45 PM

I am very impressed with the Nosler Accubonds. I have used 150gr Partitions for years with great success, but switched to Accubonds based on Nosler's representation that the Accubonds have a wider range of velocity performance.

I would use Accubonds and/or Partitions for heavier game animals and Ballistic Tips for Deer.

Varget and other powders work well. The .308 is "friendly" with a fair range of powders.

Here is the load data from Nosler...

http://www.nosler.com/308-winchester

tobnpr · December 1, 2013, 05:31 PM

Varget is probably the most widely used "go to" powder for the .308.

jmr40 · December 1, 2013, 08:14 PM

My favorite 308 powder is Varget, followed closely by Reloder 15. I've done well with 4064, 3031, TAC, and 4895. You can get good results with a lot of powders in a 308.

You don't say what for, but almost any good bullet will work. I've been impressed with 130 gr TTSX's @ 3050 fps. But I've also gotten very good results with 155 Gr Bergers, as well as almost any 150-165 gr bullet from all of the major bullet makers.

Rifletom · December 2, 2013, 08:22 AM

Varget and Hornady 150 FB. Good optics don't hurt.

KenL · December 2, 2013, 10:29 AM

150 grain Nosler Partitions and IMR 4064.

precision_shooter · December 2, 2013, 01:24 PM

Varget with the following bullets
150gr Hornady SST
155gr Berger VLD
155gr Hornady AMAX

57K · December 2, 2013, 01:34 PM

Not too long ago, my shooting partner and I worked up a good load for this deer season with the 150 gr. Ballistic Tip over 44.5 grs. of TAC. Velocity is 2819 FPS from his 22" Savage M11. Best groups are 5/8" at a hundred yards. This is about factory load level performance or a little better and it's a comfortable load to shoot. We also have Varget and W748, but it just hasn't been necessary to try to improve over the TAC load.

A_Gamehog · December 3, 2013, 01:10 PM

IMR8208 powder
Wolf LRP
Lapua Brass
130 Gr. Barnes TTSX
Light crimp (lee die)
3100+ FPS

Very good groups @ 300 yards. Savage 1-10 Twist, it's longer than a 150 Sierra MK. It shoots very flat, with a 200 yard Zero I can hold on a 3" Clay Pigeon at 12 O'Clock and hit it every time. No need for "gadgets" range finders, fancy X-hairs. Stable in the hot 105 summer and cold -9 winter.

Left to right:
125 Speer HP
125 Nosler BT
147 FMJ
150 Sierra MK
130 Barnes TTSX

CS86 · December 3, 2013, 01:36 PM

Varget powder seems to be popular so it is one I started with. A classic powder that has been around for awhile and recommended by others is 4064. I think you will have good luck with about any bullet choice, but the weight that seems to be a solid choice I believe would be a 168gr or 178gr. I've been Using Varget with Hornady 168gr A-Max bullets and getting 1/2" groups at 100yds., and about 3" groups at 300 yds. It kind of depends on what you are trying to load for.

Jeff2131 · December 3, 2013, 02:33 PM

Care to try IMR4320 with a magnum primer and a Hornady 180gr SST....

hooligan1 · December 3, 2013, 05:22 PM

Man I appreciate the info, there are so many combos, that when I start data work I should be fine.
I'm really wanting five bullet/powder combos for hunting in and around open timber tracks and cornfield edges as well as open pastures.. I think I can extrude enough info here to get a hell of a start, Thanks fellas I appreciate the time and effort from you all no foolin...

gwpercle · December 3, 2013, 05:30 PM

Varget and Berger VLD's won the top accuracy contest in an extensive test done up in Handloader Magazine a few years ago. I don't reload for 308 ( yet ) but I kept the issue for that report. Finding it is another matter but I was impressed by the test and even try to find Varget every time I go to a dealer ....still looking .

Gary

Mike / Tx · December 3, 2013, 06:11 PM

I must be an outcast here Varget simply sucked pond water with every combo I tried in my .308.

That said I haven't found a load yet using H-4895 that shot worse than 1.5" at 100yds. I have loaded it starting with the youth 125gr loads at just over 2300fps up to 165gr loads running right up to around 2650fps and they all shot good enough to put meat in the freezer.

4runnerman · December 3, 2013, 06:34 PM

My favorite 308 powder is Varget, followed closely by Reloder 15. I've done well with 4064, 3031, TAC, and 4895. You can get good results with a lot of powders in a 308.

What JMR40 says here. I just switch varget and rl-15 around. His last sentence is right on the money

T/C Hunter · December 4, 2013, 07:47 PM

IMR 4064 / IMR 4995 / Hodgdon 4895/ Hodgdon Benchmark. Hodgdon CFE223 Sierra 125 grain Pro hunter # 2120 # 2020 & # 2190 150 gr Match king. These all have there place in my line up for both of my .308's Loading for a T/C Venture and a T/C Encore Hand gun. all shoot sub 1/2 MOA @100 yards

myfriendis410 · December 4, 2013, 10:21 PM

150 gr. Barnes TTSX and RL19 was a good load for my hunting partner.

mxsailor803 · December 4, 2013, 11:22 PM

Sierra ProHunters 125gr and 4064. Been having really good results.

HiBC · December 5, 2013, 05:28 AM

In my experience,Varget is an excellent choice,likely best for most rifles.I figured it out before that fine Handloader mag article "Ultimate 308 Accuracy Load"

Looking at the 165/168 zone,you will see a trio of Noslers.

The 168 Custom Comp match bullet,reasonably priced ,accurate range bullet

The 165 Ballistic Tip,Accurate,good expansion at .308 velocities

The 165 Accubond,for a little tougher bullet.

All have essentially the same BC...pretty close,same load,and typically shoot real close to the same point.

Its not a bad way to go.

November 30, 2013, 07:55 AM	#1
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	Good Powder/Bullet combos for hunting, .308 Winchester Title says everthing, looking for Hunting bullet/powder combos, not powder weights, just good combos. Please and thank you. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

November 30, 2013, 08:58 AM	#2
the jigger Member Join Date: May 26, 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 78	308 combos? Varget/Ballistic tips! __________________ GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!! If you're gonna get old you better be tough;Gettin' old ain't for sissies!!

December 1, 2013, 01:17 AM	#6
gb_in_ga Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2005 Location: Pensacola, Fl Posts: 3,092	There's been lots of meat put in the freezer with a 150 gr Nosler Partition and between 41.0 and 43.0 gr (depending on the rifle) of 3031. The Speer Hot-Cor also works well in the same weight. __________________ COME AND TAKE IT http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batgon.htm Formerly lived in Ga, but now I'm back in Tx! Aaaand, now I'm off to Fla...

December 1, 2013, 02:45 PM	#7
hgmeyer Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 147	I am very impressed with the Nosler Accubonds. I have used 150gr Partitions for years with great success, but switched to Accubonds based on Nosler's representation that the Accubonds have a wider range of velocity performance. I would use Accubonds and/or Partitions for heavier game animals and Ballistic Tips for Deer. Varget and other powders work well. The .308 is "friendly" with a fair range of powders. Here is the load data from Nosler... http://www.nosler.com/308-winchester Last edited by hgmeyer; December 1, 2013 at 07:13 PM.

December 1, 2013, 05:31 PM	#8
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Varget is probably the most widely used "go to" powder for the .308. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

November 30, 2013, 09:18 AM	#3
jason75979 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 137	4064(42.8grns)/165 Swift Scirroco II

November 30, 2013, 09:20 AM	#4
jackpine Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Posts: 351	150 grain speer hot core bullets and BL-C(2)

November 30, 2013, 09:21 PM	#5
Tomas Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 1999 Location: Blue State Posts: 441	43gr of ww748 under a 180gr partition has killed a lot of game for me

December 1, 2013, 08:14 PM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,811	My favorite 308 powder is Varget, followed closely by Reloder 15. I've done well with 4064, 3031, TAC, and 4895. You can get good results with a lot of powders in a 308. You don't say what for, but almost any good bullet will work. I've been impressed with 130 gr TTSX's @ 3050 fps. But I've also gotten very good results with 155 Gr Bergers, as well as almost any 150-165 gr bullet from all of the major bullet makers.

December 2, 2013, 08:22 AM	#10
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 789	Varget and Hornady 150 FB. Good optics don't hurt.

December 2, 2013, 10:29 AM	#11
KenL Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 218	150 grain Nosler Partitions and IMR 4064.

December 2, 2013, 01:24 PM	#12
precision_shooter Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,475	Varget with the following bullets 150gr Hornady SST 155gr Berger VLD 155gr Hornady AMAX __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." - Thomas Jefferson, 1776

December 2, 2013, 01:34 PM	#13
57K Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Heart of Texas Posts: 788	Not too long ago, my shooting partner and I worked up a good load for this deer season with the 150 gr. Ballistic Tip over 44.5 grs. of TAC. Velocity is 2819 FPS from his 22" Savage M11. Best groups are 5/8" at a hundred yards. This is about factory load level performance or a little better and it's a comfortable load to shoot. We also have Varget and W748, but it just hasn't been necessary to try to improve over the TAC load.

December 3, 2013, 01:10 PM	#14
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	IMR8208 powder Wolf LRP Lapua Brass 130 Gr. Barnes TTSX Light crimp (lee die) 3100+ FPS Very good groups @ 300 yards. Savage 1-10 Twist, it's longer than a 150 Sierra MK. It shoots very flat, with a 200 yard Zero I can hold on a 3" Clay Pigeon at 12 O'Clock and hit it every time. No need for "gadgets" range finders, fancy X-hairs. Stable in the hot 105 summer and cold -9 winter. Left to right: 125 Speer HP 125 Nosler BT 147 FMJ 150 Sierra MK 130 Barnes TTSX __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course" Last edited by A_Gamehog; December 3, 2013 at 01:22 PM.

December 3, 2013, 01:36 PM	#15
CS86 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2012 Location: South Dakota Posts: 224	Varget powder seems to be popular so it is one I started with. A classic powder that has been around for awhile and recommended by others is 4064. I think you will have good luck with about any bullet choice, but the weight that seems to be a solid choice I believe would be a 168gr or 178gr. I've been Using Varget with Hornady 168gr A-Max bullets and getting 1/2" groups at 100yds., and about 3" groups at 300 yds. It kind of depends on what you are trying to load for.

December 3, 2013, 02:33 PM	#16
Jeff2131 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Spring City, PA Posts: 497	Care to try IMR4320 with a magnum primer and a Hornady 180gr SST.... __________________ ---I DON'T DIAL 911---

December 3, 2013, 05:22 PM	#17
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	Man I appreciate the info, there are so many combos, that when I start data work I should be fine. I'm really wanting five bullet/powder combos for hunting in and around open timber tracks and cornfield edges as well as open pastures.. I think I can extrude enough info here to get a hell of a start, Thanks fellas I appreciate the time and effort from you all no foolin... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

December 3, 2013, 05:30 PM	#18
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	Varget and Berger VLD's won the top accuracy contest in an extensive test done up in Handloader Magazine a few years ago. I don't reload for 308 ( yet ) but I kept the issue for that report. Finding it is another matter but I was impressed by the test and even try to find Varget every time I go to a dealer ....still looking . Gary

December 3, 2013, 06:11 PM	#19
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I must be an outcast here Varget simply sucked pond water with every combo I tried in my .308. That said I haven't found a load yet using H-4895 that shot worse than 1.5" at 100yds. I have loaded it starting with the youth 125gr loads at just over 2300fps up to 165gr loads running right up to around 2650fps and they all shot good enough to put meat in the freezer. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

December 3, 2013, 06:34 PM	#20
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	My favorite 308 powder is Varget, followed closely by Reloder 15. I've done well with 4064, 3031, TAC, and 4895. You can get good results with a lot of powders in a 308. What JMR40 says here. I just switch varget and rl-15 around. His last sentence is right on the money __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

December 4, 2013, 07:47 PM	#21
T/C Hunter Member Join Date: August 31, 2007 Location: Trumansburg New York Posts: 61	Powder N' Bullets for .308 IMR 4064 / IMR 4995 / Hodgdon 4895/ Hodgdon Benchmark. Hodgdon CFE223 Sierra 125 grain Pro hunter # 2120 # 2020 & # 2190 150 gr Match king. These all have there place in my line up for both of my .308's Loading for a T/C Venture and a T/C Encore Hand gun. all shoot sub 1/2 MOA @100 yards

December 4, 2013, 10:21 PM	#22
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 274	150 gr. Barnes TTSX and RL19 was a good load for my hunting partner.

December 4, 2013, 11:22 PM	#23
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Sierra ProHunters 125gr and 4064. Been having really good results.

December 5, 2013, 05:28 AM	#24
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,289	In my experience,Varget is an excellent choice,likely best for most rifles.I figured it out before that fine Handloader mag article "Ultimate 308 Accuracy Load" Looking at the 165/168 zone,you will see a trio of Noslers. The 168 Custom Comp match bullet,reasonably priced ,accurate range bullet The 165 Ballistic Tip,Accurate,good expansion at .308 velocities The 165 Accubond,for a little tougher bullet. All have essentially the same BC...pretty close,same load,and typically shoot real close to the same point. Its not a bad way to go.